Takashimaya Toshin Kaihatsu Urban Culture Award 2026: First-Ever Winners Announced — Grand Prize Awarded to Akira Yamaguchi's 'Shudo,' Six Special Prize Works Selected

The 'Takashimaya Toshin Kaihatsu Urban Culture Award,' established by Takashimaya Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiary Toshin Kaihatsu Co., Ltd., has announced the winners of its first edition. The Grand Prize is awarded to Akira Yamaguchi for his work 'Shudo' (Kodansha, 2025), along with six Special Jury Prizes selected by individual jurors.

The award was decided through a rigorous selection process, evaluating 94 books published in 2025, which were nominated by approximately 100 recommendation committee members. Six jurors conducted the final review. To commemorate the announcement of the first winners, a dedicated website has been launched, alongside talk events and a book fair themed around 'urban culture.' We invite continued attention to the award’s year-round activities, which aim to re-examine the very concept of urban culture.

Awarded Works

⚫ Grand Prize: Akira Yamaguchi, 'Shudo' (Kodansha, 2025)

' Shudo' by Akira Yamaguchi (Kodansha, 2025)

【Winner's Comment】

I received news from my gallery representative that 'Shudo' had won some award, only to find it was the 'Toshin Kaihatsu Urban Culture Award'—a name I had never heard before. At first, I worried it might be one of those awards where you end up paying money after winning. When I inquired further, I learned that 'Takashimaya' precedes 'Toshin' in the name, and that Professor Taro Igarashi is the chief juror. That eased my mind considerably. Yet then I began to wonder—my work references Igarashi’s writings, and I’ve previously worked with Takashimaya. Was there an insider advantage? Upon asking again, I was reassured that the committee had already considered such matters and advised me not to worry. Often, a work is wiser than its creator. Humbly and without fear of presumption, I accept this honor, trusting in the enlightened judgment of the jurors. I sincerely thank all involved in the award and the editorial staff who supported me in completing 'Shudo.'

June 6, 2026 Akira Yamaguchi

⚫ Bazaar World of Resonating Crafts Prize (Taro Igarashi)

Keiko Arima, 'Ethnography of Demachi, Kyoto: The Commercial World of Misenoma' (Seidosha, 2025)

⚫ Oscar Prize (Akira Oyama)

Yuki Umekawa, 'Sociology of Waste and Daily Life: Walking the Line Between Objects and Trash' (Seikyusha, 2025)

⚫ Reflection and Inheritance Prize (Nodoka Odaoka)

Taku Osaka, 'Photography and the Modern Ainu: Between 'Showing' and 'Being Seen'' (Shizensha, 2025)

⚫ Prize for Capturing the Unheard Voices (Yuichi Kinoshita)

Junya Umi, Takeshi Kitamura, Ayaka Sakima, Rieko Shiga, Takuma Higashi (Authors), Cheryl Silverman, Christopher Stevens, Pamela Miki (Translators), 'Jam Session: Drifting Ashore — Ishibashi Foundation Collection × Chikako Yamashiro × Rieko Shiga' (Artizon Museum, Ishibashi Foundation, 2025)

⚫ Urban Body Prize (Yukari Takinami)

Kumiko Ogawa, 'Walking Slowly' (Igaku-Shoin, 2025)

⚫ Imagination of the City Prize (Kyoko Tominaga)

Koichi Kato, 'Luxury in Architecture: A History Woven from Materials and Construction' (University of Tokyo Press, 2025)

◾ Jurors and Selection Comments

⚫ The official website features in-depth selection comments (over 2,000 characters each) from all jurors.

Chief Juror: Taro Igarashi (Architectural History and Criticism)

Jurors: Akira Oyama (Photographer, Critic) Nodoka Odaoka (Sculptor, Critic, Publisher Representative) Yuichi Kinoshita (Director, Kinoshita Kabuki) Yukari Takinami (Manga Artist) Kyoko Tominaga (Sociologist)

(In alphabetical order)

◼ Commemorative Events and Fairs

⚫ Talk Events

Commemorative talk events will be held featuring Akira Yamaguchi, author of the Grand Prize-winning 'Shudo.'

(Both events will be livestreamed online; advance registration required)

❶ Grand Prize 'Shudo' Commemorative Talk

Akira Yamaguchi (Painter) × Taro Igarashi (Chief Juror / Architectural Historian) × Yukari Takinami (Juror / Manga Artist)

【Date & Time】July 19, 2026 (Sun) 6:00–8:00 PM

【Venue】8th Floor Hall, Takashimaya Group Headquarters Building (2-12-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

Details here

❷ Grand Prize 'Shudo' Spin-off Event: 'Talk on Kaku (Gakū)*'

Akira Yamaguchi (Painter) × Akira Oyama (Juror / Photographer, Critic) × Renka Ishiyama (Power Line Enthusiast)

【Date & Time】August 8, 2026 (Sat) 2:00–4:00 PM

【Venue】8th Floor Hall, Takashimaya Group Headquarters Building (2-12-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

* 'Kaku-sen' (Gakū-sen) is the technical term for overhead power lines.

Details here

※ Advance registration required. Please check details on Peatix.

※ Subject to change without notice.

⚫ Book Fair

A book fair featuring approximately 300 titles will be held to commemorate the award announcement.

In addition to the Grand Prize and Special Prize works, around 100 nominated titles from this year will be introduced, along with approximately 180 books on 'urban culture' selected by the six jurors. For those interested in the question 'What is urban culture?', we invite you to visit this unique opportunity.

【Location】Maruzen Nihonbashi Store, 2nd Floor, next to escalator (2-3-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)

【Period】June 13 (Sat) – July 31 (Fri), 2026

Free TAKE FREE book list will also be distributed.

※ Limited quantities available; please understand.

⚫ Limited Edition Book Cover

An elegant limited-edition book cover has been created. Customers who purchase a book (paperback, new book, or hardcover) at Maruzen Nihonbashi Store will receive this special cover.

※ Limited quantities available; please understand.

Takashimaya Toshin Kaihatsu Urban Culture Award 2026 Limited Edition Book Cover

⚫ Limited Mini Zine (In Preparation)

A limited-run mini zine is scheduled for distribution from early July, featuring the jurors’ selection comments, shortlisted and finalist works, and curated reading lists from the book fair. Distribution will take place at the Maruzen Nihonbashi book fair, the award’s commemorative talk events, and venues hosting the year-round talk series. Please obtain a copy while supplies last.

※ Limited quantities available; please understand.

Ongoing Award Activities

Year-round talk events and video content continue to explore the question: 'What is urban culture?'

・ Takashimaya Toshin Kaihatsu Urban Culture Award Talk Series

・ Akira Oyama's Urban Appreciation Series

・ Official Website

・ YouTube

・ X @toshibunka

・ Instagram @toshibunka_shou